Effective Leadership: Become a Great Communicator
If effective Leadership is based upon clear and precise communication, then why is it so many of our leaders exhibit poor platform skills? When you put someone in front of an audience and ask them to say a few words, why do so many become reduced to nervous wrecks stammering and stuttering their way through a confusing series of disconnected thoughts?
What is it about an audience that terrifies so many individuals? Why is it so difficult to present a clear and concise message in public, yet so easy to organize ones thoughts and deliver them effectively face-to-face?
Extensive research has confirmed that Fear of Speaking in public is second only to the fear of death among people. And some, I venture, would prefer death!
The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and doesnt stop until you get asked to make a speech.
-Robert Frost
The ability to stand and deliver a professional business presentation is a highly admired and sought after skill. True leadership is often exhibited from the podium, where effective communication skills were never more important than today. It is also displayed in the boardroom, where communication skills and meeting management require a firm hand, organization, and experience. Our customers judge everyone in our company --- from sales managers to customer service representatives to the receptionist--- based upon our ability to communicate effectively.
Fortunately, the key elements used in effective communication can be summarized and learned to our great advantage. Whether we are delivering a keynote speech, managing an important meeting, talking with a client, or simply answering the phone, the basics of effective communication are invariable constants.
Every member of your organization can stand to improve their communication and presentation skills, especially team members who are in customer-facing roles (almost everyone). In particular, sales people, customer service, inside sales people, sales support staff, help desk, receptionists, and marketing personnel are vital elements of conveying a professional image to your customer base.
Youve probably spent considerable time in defining your corporate image and selecting an appropriate brand. You have a mission, strategies, objectives, and guidelines. Marketing is doing their best to position your company and gain visibility. You have the right products at the right time, and the world is now beating down your door! However, none of it will be worth much without the ability to communicate effectively with your customers.
In my consulting practice, we are often asked to perform an operational analysis to determine areas which are most likely to yield positive improvements in performance. And in almost every case, one of the highest ranked (in importance) areas we recommend investigating are the customer-facing areas of the company. Improved communication with your customers directly translates to customer satisfaction, retention, new business and improved revenue.
Fortunately, communication and presentation skills can be learned, practiced, and mastered. Although having the correct information is vitally important, for true mastery these communication skills must be practiced on a regular basis.
What are the most important elements to learn in developing Effective Presentation skills ?
Here is a quick summary:
Planning
Who do you intend to communicate with/present to? What is their profile? Average age, sex, nationality, occupation, educational level? How many people will be in attendance ? Find out before you speak!
Where are you speaking? Whats the size of the room and what equipment is available for you to use. Is it inside or outside? Sound equipment/lighting?
Finally, what is appropriate dress and how long will you speak? Who will introduce you and do they have a proper introduction/biography? Have you done a dress rehearsal?
If you are conducting a meeting, what presentation aides exist? Do you have appropriate handouts/workbooks to use? What are the requirements for food/beverages ? Are you leading the meeting, or joining?
Preparation
What do you hope to accomplish? Is your speech intended to inform, persuade, demonstrate, answer questions, tell a story, or brief the audience on just the facts.
What are the 3 most important messages you want your audience to retain?
What are your objectives, and are they consistent?
Have you practiced the speech out loud, to a coach, or videotaped?
Are you prepared to handle questions/objections on your topic ?
Overcoming Barriers
Do you experience Stage Fright? If so, its generally one of 3 barriers. Here they are, with a simple cure:
Barrier Cure
Nervousness (heart pounding, sweaty palms) Speak to one person at a time
They cant see you are nervous
Breathe deeply
Anxiety Focus attention on audience, not inward
Visualize your success in advance
They want you to succeed
Lack of Confidence Be prepared (see above)
Practice
You are the expert
Building an Effective Presentation
All presentations, meetings, phone calls, appointments can be reduced to a simple format:
The Opening (captures attention, introduce objective/topic)
Point #1 (with supporting material)
Point #2 (supporting material)
Point #3 (supporting material)
The Close (summarize, call to action)
The Delivery
There are 4 basic elements of delivering your message, whether as a keynote speaker or in a boardroom meeting:
1. Professional Appearance (clean, crisp, shined, groomed, presentable)
2. Posture (erect, balanced, not slouched, not nervous, parade rest)
3. Eye Contact (look directly, one at a time, and focus. Not tracking back and forth)
4. Speak with Authority (stand in front, move with purpose)
Delivery Skills
1. Use Vocal Varietyvary the pitch, volume, sound, rate of your voice
2. Body Motion movements and gestures to convey your images more effectively
` 3. Connect with the Audience intend your full message to reach each person
4. Active Listening ensure they heard you, listen on all levels
Audience Involvement
1. Get them involvedask questions, opinions, feedback.
2. Ask appropriate questions and LISTEN to their answers.
3. Include them. Use us, we, our frequently.
4. Follow your outline and stay on track.
5. Ensure you begin and end on time.
Summarize and Close
1. Review your objective and supporting points
2. Remind them of our objective
3. Gain their support and commitment
4. Call to Action
This summary contains the basics of effective communication skills, and should be used as a guideline or checklist to review prior to your next important meeting/presentation. However, communication skills are largely learned by DOING, not by reading. Overcoming nervousness and learning to connect with your audience are skills developed over time.
Two organizations should be considered for developing presentation skills among your staff: Toastmasters International and Dale Carnegie. Both of these institutions provide hundreds or clubs/training centers across the country, and are both highly recommended.
Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, founder of Toastmasters International, had this to say about leadership and communication:
Self-expression is one of the first steps toward leadership. The well-balanced,
Intelligent speaker is the natural leader in any group of which he is part.
Good speakingto your Success!
About the Author
Patrick McClure, founder and President of the Connexia Group, works with individuals and corporations to achieve maximum performance and results in their sales and marketing organizations.
For over 25 years, he has been training salesman and managers to become amazingly proficient and results-oriented. He has a knack for reducing the most complex processes to their basic simplicity. As a trainer, speaker, consultant and author, he has dedicated his practice to helping others achieve Peak Performance.
Patrick is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), the Association for Professional Consultants (APC) and the American Society of Training & Development (ASTD). He is also a Partner in the Cerius Consulting Group http://www.ceriusconsulting.com
Contact Information:
Email: pmcclurea@cox.net
Phone: (949) 858-0755
Web: http://www.connexiagroup.com
On Thursday, May 1, 2008, Governor Deval Patrick this morning delivered a speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce where he presented a comprehensive, ambitious strategy for taking national leadership in clean energy in response to record high energy prices and in recognition of the opportunities for jobs and economic growth in the burgeoning clean energy industry. "The idea is a simple one: if Massachusetts gets clean energy right, the world will be our customer," Governor Patrick said. Transcript: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Media+Center&L2=Speeches&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=text_2008-05-01_gb&csid=Agov3
Author: MassGovernor
Keywords: Governor Patrick May Greater Boston Chamber of Comerce clean energy prices jobs economic growth
Added: May 2, 2008
posted by 70924 @ 7:17 PM
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